DAY 4 – WEST BARNES TO YELLOW CRAIGS

Again we use two cars leaving one at Yellow Craigs and the other at the starting point in West Barnes. it was another bright, crisp January morning when we set off walking along the woodland path bordering the sands into Tyninghame Bay. As the tide was out we were able to walk on the sand round the edge of the bay which in some parts was rocky or very muddy. The waters of the bay were extremely busy with wildlife. On reaching the west corner, the John Muir Way directed us to follow a minor road away from the coast. We decided to ignore this and follow the grass path to the North West corner where the river Tyne flows into the bay. At this point we were delighted when we spotted a footbridge over the river opposite Tyninghame House, but were sorely disappointed to find the bridge gated, chained and surrounded by barbed wire to prevent crossing. Undeterred we followed the river upstream crossing at the road bridge (A198) before walking back down the driveway of Tyninghame House back to the sea edge at St Baldred’s Cradle and on to the picturesque Ravensheugh and Peffer Sands where we enjoyed a tea break. Setting off again in the sunshine we were able to walk on the grass bankings and fields close to the sea before reaching the beach at ‘The Gegan’ and getting our first views of Tantallon Castle on the cliffs above. Our path took us on past the lovely hamlet at Canty Bay and round the edge of the Glen golf course at North Berwick. After a lunch stop at the harbour in North Berwick we left the town along the beaches at Berwick Bay and West Links past North Berwick golf club. Rounding the point at Longskelly we walked on the glorious Broad Sands and ahead could see the offshore lighthouse island of Fidra at our walks end at Yellow Craigs.

Summary

Another excellent days walking in sunshine and a lot of the time on beaches at the seas edge. In general good underfoot condition but a bit muddy round Tyninghame Bay.

Highs; Beautiful beaches and view of TantallonCastle from the Gegan (see picture)

Lows; This part of theJohn Muir Way appears to have been created without much thought for walkers and uses the easy option of roads not to mention the blocked footbridge at Tyninghame House.

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Walking round Tyninghame Bay

Ravensheugh sands from St Baldreds Cradle

Ravensheugh sands with the Bass Rock in the background

The lovely Peffer sands.

The Bass Rock with St Baldreds Boat in the foreground taken from Carr rocks

The lovely beach at the Gegan

Tantallon Castle from the rocks at the Gegan

The lovely hamlet at Canty Bay with Berwick Law in the distance

Admiring the view from near Leckmoram Ness

Looking back at Tantallon Castle from the golf course

Looking ahead to the lovely North Berwick

Bill and George making their way along west links beach North Berwick

On the beach out of North Berwickl with Fidra Island in the background.